Bhu Suraksha: Karnataka digitises 32 cr landrecord pages, targets 100 crore by Dec
Tired of too many ads? go ad free now
The scheme, aimed at creating tamper-proof, accessible digital land documents, is expected to cover over 100 crore pages by Dec.
With the distribution of the digitised documents already underway, the department said the scanning and storage process is being conducted securely to prevent illegal alterations. Officials believe the project will not only safeguard property rights but also eliminate common malpractices in the land documentation system.
"For decades, we relied on fragile physical files stored in taluk and district record rooms. They are difficult to retrieve and prone to wear, errors, and even losses. Recognising these issues, we launched Bhu Suraksha to transform land record management," said a senior revenue official.
Revenue minister Krishna Byre Gowda, who recently reviewed the scheme's progress, directed all deputy commissioners and tehsildars to ensure its effective implementation.
During another review meeting Friday, the minister warned of disciplinary action against officials delaying the digitisation process.
Revenue commissioner P Sunil Kumar told TOI: "We already scanned and digitally stored over 32 crore pages of documents. And we estimate that there are over 100 crore pages of records, and all the pages will be scanned and stored safely soon."
He added that during the minister's inspection of record rooms, officials flagged the many challenges involved in protecting physical land documents.
Tired of too many ads? go ad free now
This reinforced the department's decision to scan and secure them digitally.
Officials said that in the past, retrieving a single document often required tedious manual searches. "Now, Bhu Suraksha drastically reduces time and effort for both officials and citizens," said one officer. "The digitised records are encrypted, tamper-proof, and come with audit trails to log every access or update."
To ensure accuracy, the department has adopted a multi-tier verification system.
Data entered by data entry operators is checked by shirastedars, with random audits by tahsildars.
Digitisation efforts are in full swing across all 31 districts. At least 14 districts have digitised over 1 crore pages each, with Belagavi topping the list with more than 2 crore pages scanned.
—-
Quote
Farmers are struggling significantly to obtain their land records. They are facing the problem as many records are lost, and some records are being illegally altered. The Bhoo Suraksha scheme is being implemented to free farmers from all these exploitations. If this scheme succeeds, it can prevent several illegal activities
-Krishna Byre Gowda, revenue minister
——-
Gfx
Top 10 districts
District
Pages digitised
Belagavi
2 crore
Vijayapura
2 crore
Uttara Kannada
1.9 crore
Dakshina Kannada
1.6 crore
Tumakuru
1.5 crore
Bagalkot
1.4 crore
Hassan
1.3 crore
Davanagere
1.2 crore
Haveri
1.2 crore
Mysuru
1.2 crore
Source: Revenue department
--
Eom
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Why Trump's tariff move isn't likely to shake India's oil ties with Russia
Donald Trump has made a lot of noise about India's oil trade with Russia, calling it profiteering and threatening to 'substantially raise' tariffs on Indian goods. But New Delhi isn't blinking. As reported by TOI, a senior Indian government official put it plainly, 'We will go solely by the interest of our consumers and opt for the best option price-wise. If Russian crude works out cheaper than what we can get from other sources, why should we penalise our consumers?' The Centre has so far not made any move to wean off Indian oil refiners from Russian crude, which comes at a steep discount compared to purchases from west Asia or US. It has not just helped keep domestic pump prices lower, but also benefited European countries, which have been major buyers of diesel and jet fuel from India, sources told TOI. The economic logic is straightforward. Russian oil has been cheaper than what's available from West Asia or the US. India's refiners are not just cutting costs—they're helping stabilise fuel prices at home. And here's the kicker: Europe benefits too, as Indian refiners export refined fuels like diesel and jet fuel, some of which reach European markets. Trump's pressure tactics and the political showmanship Trump's frustration is spilling over into tariff threats. His core accusation? 'India is not only buying massive amounts of Russian Oil, they are then, for much of the Oil purchased, selling it on the Open Market for big profits. They don't care how many people in Ukraine are being killed by the Russian War Machine .' He followed that with, 'Because of this, I will be substantially raising the Tariff paid by India to the USA.' No actual figures were given. But just last week, he'd already slapped a 25 per cent tariff on Indian goods and floated a possible jump to 100 per cent unless India stops buying Russian oil. Trump's new deadline is August 7. If Russia doesn't agree to a ceasefire in Ukraine, he's hinted at secondary sanctions on countries that continue trading energy with Moscow. That includes India, China, and Brazil. But these threats are running into hard economic and political realities. Why Russian oil imports still makes sense for India After the West sanctioned Moscow in 2022, Russia started offering deep discounts on its oil. That's when India stepped in. It now buys around 1.7 million barrels a day of Russian crude, according to Bloomberg data. India isn't just stockpiling it. In the first half of this year, it exported 1.4 million barrels a day of refined fuels. About 40 per cent of that was diesel or gasoil, and 30 per cent was petrol and blending components. Refiners blend multiple sources of crude before producing fuels, so it's not always clear which exports came from Russian barrels. But the volume speaks for itself. And the trade hasn't slowed down. Over the weekend, at least four tankers delivered millions of barrels of Russian crude to Indian ports. India pushes back: No apologies, no shift in strategy India's Ministry of External Affairs had a sharp response. 'The targeting of India is unjustified and unreasonable,' it said. 'Like any major economy, India will take all necessary measures to safeguard its national interests and economic security.' It also pointed out that the US and EU themselves continue to trade with Russia, even when there's no national compulsion. India's position has been consistent. The decision to buy Russian oil was triggered when traditional suppliers diverted their barrels to Europe. It was the US, in fact, that nudged India to continue those purchases—albeit within the G7's price cap. Energy Minister Hardeep Singh Puri told CNBC in July that the Russian crude trade helped global prices stay in check, saying India was advised by Washington to keep buying—'but within the price cap.' NSA Doval heads to Moscow National Security Adviser Ajit Doval is heading to Moscow this week. The visit is expected to offer clarity on how India plans to navigate what officials call a 'geo-economic trilemma': cheap energy, political pressure, and long-term security interests. India has not made any move to scale back Russian imports. If anything, officials are eyeing additional discounts in light of Trump's bluster. Even business circles in Delhi are calling out the former US president's rhetoric. A statement from trade research body GTRI summed it up, 'India's oil trade with Russia has taken place with full transparency and broad understanding with the US… Trump's decision to raise tariffs on India citing oil trade is not only unjustified—it ignores market realities, misrepresents trade data, and undermines a key strategic partnership in the Indo-Pacific.' The BRICS factor and Dollar alternatives This isn't just about oil. Trump has also slammed India's involvement in BRICS and the bloc's discussions around alternatives to the US dollar. He's claimed India has the 'most strenuous and obnoxious non-monetary trade barriers' and is using tariffs as leverage to open up Indian markets to US agriculture and dairy—an area where India has refused to budge. One official noted that despite discussions, India would not allow imports of genetically modified American corn and soybean. Nor would it revise its stand on farm and dairy tariffs, which Trump has repeatedly criticised. India's energy alternatives, but only if needed If forced to diversify, India could boost imports from Iraq, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and the US. In fact, last week saw India's largest refiner suddenly snap up several million barrels from the US and UAE—moves widely interpreted as precautionary, not strategic shifts. India had, during trade talks, shown interest in ramping up imports of American gas, fertiliser, and defence equipment to improve the trade balance. But there are limits. Modi has refused to open up sensitive sectors like dairy, even as the US pushes hard. Trump and Modi were once seen as political allies. That relationship has cooled. The current standoff is the latest in a string of Trump-led escalations over oil, trade barriers, and foreign policy. From threatening to block access to US markets over India-Pakistan tensions, to taking credit for peace deals India denies happened, Trump's combative posture has worn thin in Delhi. His latest push threatening penalties on anyone still paying for Russian oil reflects growing frustration with Putin's unwillingness to compromise. Trump's nuclear submarine move last week, reportedly in response to Dmitry Medvedev's rhetoric, only adds to the volatility. But India, for now, isn't shifting course. As one Indian official summed it up, 'We are guided by what's best for Indian consumers, not what's best for Washington politics.' And that might be the line that defines this whole saga.
Time of India
5 hours ago
- Time of India
Builders seek hassle-free access to M Sand after state govt finalises SOP for policy
1 2 Pune: Builders have urged state govt to ensure smooth access, availability, and transportation of manufactured sand (M Sand) after the standard operating procedure (SOP) for the M Sand policy was finalised last week. The move, announced by revenue minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule on July 29, aims to eliminate river sand mining across the state. While developers welcomed the policy, they said its success hinges on quick permissions, reliable supply chains, and improved infrastructure, especially in rural areas. "If M Sand is made easily accessible even in remote regions, reliance on river sand will naturally decline," a developer told TOI, choosing anonymity. You Can Also Check: Pune AQI | Weather in Pune | Bank Holidays in Pune | Public Holidays in Pune Members of the Confederation of Real Estate Developers' Associations of India (Credai) told TOI that transporting M Sand continues to pose challenges due to traffic restrictions and logistical hurdles that need to be addressed after the SOP. They further recommended that the state maintain a verified list of approved manufacturers so that builders can source M Sand from nearby locations more efficiently. "Govt must ensure that M Sand is available across all regions, including rural belts. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like It's Genius for Learning Languages [See Why] Talkpal AI Undo A list of verified suppliers and simplified transport norms will reduce costs and delays," a Credai core committee member told TOI. The committee also suggested deploying mobile testing labs and training centres for contractors in remote areas to ensure quality and promote awareness. Credai Pune president Manish Jain said the construction sector is committed to using sustainable alternatives like M Sand — a type of fine aggregate produced by crushing hard rocks such as granite. "M Sand is a robust and eco-friendly substitute for river sand. Due to its controlled manufacturing process, it offers consistent grain size and quality, making it ideal for concrete and plastering," Jain said. Builder Kapil Gandhi noted that M Sand is produced using advanced technology in a controlled environment. "River sand hasn't been used in urban areas for decades. M Sand is sent to labs for testing, and each project receives a specific mix-design report based on raw material, water quality, and local conditions. Earlier issues with plaster quality were resolved through research and development. The final product is engineered to meet high standards," he explained. Bharat Agarwal, president of the National Real Estate Development Council (Naredco), supported the ban on river sand mining, citing the damage it causes to riverbeds and aquatic ecosystems. "M Sand is a sustainable and widely accepted alternative. We urge govt to grant more licenses for M Sand units, especially as real estate activity across Maharashtra is surging," he said. Agarwal also recommended simplifying royalty payments and expediting environmental clearances for mining. "Approvals should be routed through an automatic system to avoid bottlenecks," he said. According to a govt resolution (GR) issued by the revenue department in May this year, public and private land parcels suitable for M Sand units will be listed for auction on the 'Mahakhanij' portal, stated officials. Applicants must submit a registered undertaking, along with approvals such as the Pollution Control Board's 'Consent to Establish' and a no-objection certificate (NOC) from the local planning authority. Developers said the SOP is a strong policy initiative but called for swift on-ground execution, easier logistics, and region-wide availability to ensure a smooth transition from river sand to M Sand. HIGHLIGHTS OF THE M-SAND SOP > M Sand is manufactured by crushing hard stone into sand-sized particles > Existing quarry leaseholders can apply through the Mahakhanij portal for M Sand production > The first 50 projects in each district are eligible for concessions from the revenue and industries departments > Unit holders must apply separately for concessions and establish units within six months > 'Consent to Operate' from the Pollution Control Board is mandatory before production begins > A secondary transport permit is required for M Sand sale and transport > Deputy collector to serve as nodal officer for implementation
Time of India
8 hours ago
- Time of India
Auto unions threaten to halt services to Heerapura terminal over fare hike delay
Jaipur: Auto rickshaw unions have threatened to stop services to the Heerapura Bus Terminal if their demand for a fare hike is not met. In a letter to chief minister Bhajan Lal Sharma and deputy chief minister Prem Chand Bairwa, the unions warned that they would cease operations to the terminal unless the government approves the long-pending revision of fares. Speaking to TOI, Puneet Singh Issar, president of a city auto union, said, the Regional Transport Office (RTO) had been working on revising fares since early 2025 after 12 years. "Unfortunately, they slowed down the process suddenly. We were told it is still underway, but no time frame was given for announcing the hike," Issar said. Auto drivers said that it becomes very difficult to get a passenger from places like Bhankrota. Until and unless there is a hike in fare, it would be difficult for us to drop passengers at the Heerapura terminal. "The app-based services also offer very low fares, and most passengers prefer them as they can board an auto directly from their pick-up location. Many of us are also accepting passengers through these apps. Once the government increases the fare, we will switch back to operating on meters," said Kishan Lal Jangid, an auto driver. As per the draft fare proposal, the fare for the first kilometre is likely to increase from Rs15 to Rs30, while the rate for each subsequent kilometre may go up from Rs 9 to Rs 14. The new structure also proposes a 25% hike in night charges, a luggage fee of Rs10 per piece, and a waiting charge of Rs40. "For instance, the distance from Sindhi Camp to Heerapura is around 11 km, which means the fare would be at least Rs170 under the proposed rates. The RTO is considering implementing this substantial hike in one go," said a transport official.
